Site Event/Activity record ECH5111 - Further Excavations at Cuppin Street, Chester in 1987

A follow up limited excavations was carried out in July in order to further investigate this possible rampart structure. The line of the rampart, which was constructed of turf and clay, was found to be northeast to southwest in alignment, some paving was recorded above the north easterly edge of the feature. From the early second century onwards the rampart appears to have been buried by a series of rubbish dumping. The function of this feature remains uncertain, it does not appear to predate the fortress yet nor does it appear to have a defensive function for the fortress. It would perhaps have formed a more lightly defended annexe in the early years of the fortress. Beneath the deposits dumped against and over the rampart a substantial Roman drain cut into the bedrock was recorded running paralle to and right against the rampart feature (1).